Benefit Meeting. Gloun, Dunmanway. July 26th 2009.

Good racing, and a couple of close finishes. The course was perfectly satisfactory and it is to be hoped that it will become a regular venue. Well done to Noreen McSweeney and Mike Kelleher on their doubles, and congrats to Shane Newman on making his racing debut (outside of apprentice races) a winning one.

• Maidens - 1. S. Crowley's One Cool Dude (Noreen McSweeney), 6/1; 2. T. O'Leary's Tim's Surprise (D. McCarthy), 3/1; 3. J. & D Shanahan's Lakeview Jock (R. Shanahan), 6/1. 7 ran, 3l, 4l. 4th, Hilton Sprinter, 3/1. 2m.26secs
• Dude was in charge throughout most, as Oakwood Victor (1/1 fav.) lost gait at flagfall. Western Dreamer also broke in the early stages when in the lead. A good run from Tim and Jock.

• Maidens/Novice - 1. Jenny Brickley's Ringo Kid (D. Brickley), 4/1; 2. Deirdre Goggin's Teadies Best (M. Goggin), 6/4; 3. P. Hill's Roberta's Dream (Anne Hill), 6/1. 5 ran, 2l, 3l. 4th, One Cool Cat, 1/1 fav. NR (in re-start), Top Security, Lakeview Demolition. 2m.26secs
• This was a re-call as in the first start, Top Security went off stride badly just after the first turn, and appeared to bring down Lakeview Demolition. This pair could not, of course, run in the re-start. Wellfield George held the call until entering the back stretch for the last time. Best got a good run up the inside here. Roberta held sway briefly but had to give best when Kid arrived to challenge from off the back.

• Novice/Improver - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Meadowbranch Pan-Am (M. Kelleher), 2/1; 2. G. Carey's Shane's Baby (Owner), 4/1; 3. M. Herlihy/S. J. Jennings' Oakwood Diamond (K. Sheehy), 10/1. 9 ran, 1 1/4l, 4l. 4th Sky Security, 1/1 fav. 2m.21secs
• Sky broke at the start and Pan-Am led them off. He Could Be That Chap challenged in the early stages but broke badly.and was unsettled thereafter. Shane set off in pursuit of Pan Am and they went head-to-head for a bit but Shane had to give best. Diamond seemed to come out of nowhere but may have left his effort late.

• Improver/Intermediate - 1. P. Hayes's Watch Me Now Boys (John McSweeney), 6/1; 2. J. Robson's Ima Joy (T. Murphy), 8/1; 3. F. Brickley's Ringo Star (Owner), 4/1. 7 ran, sh hd, sh hd. 4th, Supreme Hall, 2/1. NR The Buachaill. 2m.23secs
• Watch led from the start, while Supreme Hall and Coalford Bigtimer were prominent briefly. Ringo tried hard and got on terms, also briefly. At the business end, Joy got a nice run up the inside. The result was hard to call but the photo decided it.

• Class 020/044 - 1. B. Newman's Casimir Fabio (S. Newman), 2/1 jf; 2. T. Doyle's Shotgun Willy (Noreen McSweeney), 2/1jf; 3. R. Cleary's I'm Just Like Mum (D. Murphy), 4/1. 7 ran, 1/2l, 1L. 4th, CP's Fantasy, 3/1. NR Stoneriggs Warrior 2m.31secs
• Fantasy held sway for most. Mr. Dow Jones broke at the start but got back into it for a bit, giving chase to Fantasy. Sable Decision was prominent early and Willy kept in touch. Dilly's In Command lost gait and never really settled after. Fantasy was still in front until heading into the last bend when Fabio went into overdrive. In the closing stages, Mum was lying handy and was not disgraced on her seasonal bow.

• Class 000/007 - 1. T. O'Reilly/F. Hurley's Calm Louis (Noreen McSweeney), 2/1; 2. K. McCarthy's Slipalongtrevascus (D. O'Reilly), 6/1; 3. J. Manning's Rocket's Express (M. Kelleher), 6/1. 9 ran, 12l, 3l. 4th Ship's Cruiser, 6/4 fav. 2m.19secs
• Cult Direct was first to show, as Ships Cruiser may have given a skip at the start. Slip soon took it up and stayed in front until the backstraight for the last time when Louis made his move. Rocket gave chase but was uneasy on the going. Hard to see any of them beating the winner today.

• Class 010/015 - 1. L. O'Regan's Brywins Charvis (M. Goggin), 4/1; 2. C. O'Sullivan's Travis (Noreen McSweeney), 6/1; 3. J. Shanahan/A. Hayes's Lakeview Lobelle (J. Shanahan), 4/5 fav. 7 ran, 1/2l, 1/2l. 4th, Ayr Strike, 3/1. 2m.24secs
• Charvis was in charge almost throughout. He was briefly headed by Stoneriggs Quail..He fought back, though, and had enough in hand to hold off Travis, who shows much improvement. Charvis well deserved this win, as he is a frontrunner who has been caught in the closing stages.

• Free For All - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Flashdance (M. Kelleher), 2/1; 2. S. O'Reilly's Earned Income (Owner), 4/5 fav; 3. F. Quill's Tom's The Man (D. Murphy), 6/1. 9 ran, nk, 1/2l. 4th Bon Camotion, 5/1. 2m.20secs
• Income led from the start and was just pipped on the line. Dragon's Glory was prominent early on and looked a danger. Springfield Chief was briefly up with the leaders. Getting into the last circuit, Tom was in second, but Flash began to motor and moved up to replace him. Flash began to erode Income's lead but did not get his head in front until the line.